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This holiday takes place amongst the beautiful, romantic wooded hills of the Alto Mugello, in the northernmost corner of Tuscany, overlooked by the majestic Apennines and lying at the centre of a 'magic triangle' with Bologna, Faenza and Florence at each tip. You'll be based in the heart of the pretty, mediaeval mountain village of Palazzuolo sul Senio which, at 500m, escapes the worst of the summer heat, making it the ideal climate for walking. Enjoy strolling through its narrow cobbled lanes, ancient stone archways and along the charming river bank. Throughout many months of the year you can also attend one of the local atmospheric sagre (festivals) and sample traditional produce of the area.

The walks will explore the hills and valleys of the Alto Mugello, an area largely untouched by tourism and distinct from 'typical' Tuscany. You'll follow old mule trails and forest tracks, past sparkling mountain streams, deserted stone farmhouses and along panoramic ridges which form the border with neighbouring Emilia Romagna. Your walking will also take you to Lozzole, the charming 'village in the sky', and Marradi, renowned throughout Italy for its deliciously sweet chestnuts.

You'll stay at the welcoming eight-room Locanda Senio, run by Ercole and Roberta, which includes a small saltwater pool, sun terrace, jacuzzi and sauna. You'll dine each evening in their highly prized restaurant which enjoys a long-standing reputation (not least amongst Headwater customers!). The menu offers the best seasonal produce available including mulberries, cherries, sage, tarragon and rosemary, straight from the hotel gardens. We have also included a cookery demonstration, a wine and olive oil tasting and six picnics.

Day-by-day itinerary

Walking information

This level 2 holiday takes place in the remote hills and valleys of the Alto Mugello. On two days, there is a choice of walks at
both lower and upper range of a level 2 walk. The terrain is fairly challenging and there are some steep ascents and descents
so walkers should be sure footed, have a head for heights and wear walking boots. Walking poles are strongly recommended.

Day 1 - Arrive in Palazzuolo sul Senio

You arrive at your hotel, in the heart of the pretty mediaeval village of Palazzuolo, in time for dinner. (Staying at Locanda Senio for 7 nights, Full Board)

Day 2 - Monte Prevaligo and Piane Valley 14km/9mi/4.5hr

Start your holiday with a great circular walk direct from the hotel passing the ruined Ubaldin tower to the summit of Monte Prevaligo at 956m. There's a super shaded picnic spot from where you can drink in the tremendous views of valleys and dramatic mountain ridges before a gentle stroll through wild fennel and juniper back down the lovely Piane Valley.

Day 3 - The Campanara Valley 17km/11mi/5.5hr

Step back in time on this scenic valley walk as you pass atmospheric abandoned farmhouses and old terracing where labourers once tilled the soil, heading up onto a breathtaking ridge above the beautiful Campanara Valley. Enjoy the amazing 360° views before descending to the village of Quadalto and back to Palazzuolo.

Day 4 - The Muleteers' Trail 13km/8mi/4.5hr

You'll have a lift to Marradi (15 mins) where you pick up the old traders' trail, a route trodden by the likes of Machiavelli and Garibaldi in times gone by. Your initial steady climb is rewarded with glorious views to the north-east up the Lamone Valley. After striding crests, your path descends across meadows bright with broom, angelica and wild mint.

Day 5 - Cappella del Grillo 9km/6mi/3hr or 13km/8mi/5hr

Today's walk takes you across high meadows offering splendid views over Palazzuolo and on to the strangely named Chapel of the Cricket (Cappella del Grillo). After descending through giant chestnut forests, it's back to the hotel for an optional well-being session, with a jacuzzi, sauna and massages available

Day 6 - Lozzole - Ridges in the Sky 12km/7.5mi/4hr or 19km/12mi/6.5hr

All walkers are given a transfer today. Those choosing the shorter route hop out at Villa Fantino and return via the Strada Maestra. This ancient road from Florence is a lovely balcony walk. The longer route is an exhilarating hike along three ridges with contrasting panoramas, terrains and spectacular views stretching up to 70km in the distance. All walkers pass through the mountain to the abandoned village of Lozzole, renowned in days gone by for silk production.

Day 7 - Border Walk 12km/7.5mi/4hr

It's downhill nearly all day today as you explore the Senio and Santerno valleys, on the Tuscany / Emilia Romagna border. Your path winds down through oak and beech trees to the grassy plateau of Prati Piani - enjoy great views of the surrounding hills. You continue through fields dotted with wild basil, sage and caraway to the mediaeval hamlet of Visano before your final descent to Palazzuolo.

Day 8 - Leave Palazzuolo sul Senio

Where you stay

This single-centre holiday is based at the following hotel. If you'd like to extend your stay here, or upgrade your room, just let us know at the time of booking. You can call our sales team on 1-800-567-6286 to discuss accommodation options.

Locanda Senio, Palazzuolo sul Senio (***)

NEARBY:

This tiny hotel is set in the beautifully romantic wooded hills of the Alto Mugello. The most northerly corner of Tuscany, it is overlooked by the majestic Appenines, and lies in the centre of a 'magic triangle' with Bologna, Faenza and Florence at the corners.

Your hosts and chefs are Roberta and Ercole Lega. They only use organic ingredients in their tasty cuisine - including herbs straight from the hotel gardens. They vary the menu to reflect the seasons - if you're there are the end of the summer, Ercole will be out in the woods at dawn collecting wild mushrooms for dinner that night!

The hotel has six rooms which are comfortable, quiet and traditionally decorated. There is also a small swimming pool, jacuzzi, sun terrace and sauna.

Reviews

Everyone who goes on a Headwater holiday will be emailed a link to our post-holiday questionnaire where they can give us an honest assessment of all aspects of their holiday - everything from how quickly we answer the phone to how clean the hotels were - plus, of course, an overall rating and comments about their holiday.

Any feedback collected is posted straight to our website - totally unedited. So, for the real tales, twists and turns of our holidays, look no further than the reviews from our previous travellers.

Mr Lomax27/09/2016

A wonderful holiday in a beautiful region of Italy. The walks were challenging and the guide notes very occasionally confusing or inaccurate but we got through! The hotel was lovely and very comfortable, the owner Ercole was helpful and kind. Two small gripes! Each night at dinner we were asked if we want mineral water but we were not advised that it cost â‚¬3 a bottle until the end of the holiday. A small thing but it would have been nice to know. Also, the picnic lunch was a little d... read moreisappointing. I would have expected a small bottle of water and perhaps some chocolate or biscuit but then then breakfast and dinner were extremely substantial.

Mrs Austin21/09/2016

The accommodation, hospitality and food were of a high standard. The area was actractive, if somewhat remote, with limited transport links to other towns and villages. The limited accuracy of the map, with some parts of the routes described in the guide notes not shown on the map, made some of the walking more challenging than they would appear from the 'boot' rating. For a 1:25000 scale map they were extremely poor compared with Ordnance Survey maps of the same scale. Timings given were optimis... read moretic not allowing for the heat, and despite feeling that the fitness level required was within our capability we ended up opting for some non walking days and for the shorter less challenging routes.

Mr Cooper28/06/2016

A lovely green area, with super footpaths and great views within natural unspoilt countryside

Mrs Walker21/06/2016

The scenery was quite spectacular. The footpaths were quiet and on most days we did not see a sole whilst walking. I was disappointed not to see more villages, We did walk from Marradi but the start of the walk was on the outskirts so we were unable to have a walk around the town. Our guild did arrange for us to visit Ravenna on the Wednesday by bus and train, we enjoyed the visit and were happy to have a break from the walks for a day. The hotel was good, our bedroom had just been decorated... read more and refurbished. Ercole and Roberta were very friendly and went out of their way for us. Ercole invited me into the kitchen to watch him and his chef cook, which was a lovely extra touch. James the Guide lived close to the hotel so we saw him everyday.

Mrs Officer01/06/2016

Excellent holiday all round. Information provided in the brochure was accurate. Headwater team very helpful and efficient in booking and administering the holiday.

Mrs Potts28/09/2015

Excellent walking , wonderful food and welcoming host

Mr Murison24/09/2015

The undiscovered Tuscany walks were very enjoyable and the Locanda Senio in Palazzuolo was superb with a wonderful atmosphere created by Ercole and superb food created by Roberta. We'd love to return!

Mr Harrison21/09/2015

Undiscovered Tuscany, was as it says, undiscovered and unspoilt. The walks each day showed a different aspect of the local hills and valleys of this region. The food and wine were unbeatable. The hospitality of the hotelier Ercole and staff was excellent.

Mis Davis15/09/2015

Brilliant all we wanted

Ms Read03/09/2015

Really enjoyed the location, and the food etc at Locando Senio.

We very much appreciated the catering for our strict vegetarian diet. They took it very seriously and offered a good range of veggie food.

Walking notes were good, and it was a pleasure to relax into the whole few days of walking with confidence in the notes.

Liked hotel touring very much. Clean and very central to Bologna. Helpful staff.

Mrs Taverner16/08/2015

Lovely location with excellent walks. Plenty of shade so, although 35 degrees in the first week of August, not too hot to walk (just). Not at all touristy ðŸ˜„Breakfast was a bit of a let down but the evening (all vegetarian) meals were very nice.... although my husband was craving a burger by the middle of the week! No courses were repeated during the week and the food freshly prepared and well presented. We enjoyed the pasta making demonstration. Do check your bill on leaving - an extra bottle of wine had mysteriously appeared on ours.

Mrs Hart12/08/2015

We had a simply brilliant and superbly relaxing week at Locanda Senio. Everything about the hotel was faultless (great vegetarian food, friendly and helpful people, and a gorgeous location). It is perfectly possible to enjoy a break here without doing any serious walking and whether you want to hike 20km+ each day or just potter around the village and environs you should find something to suit!

The travel arrangements also worked seamlessly.

Mr Duggleby03/06/2015

An excellent walking holiday in an undiscovered and little known part of Italy.The village of Palazzuolo is a delight and the hotel wonderful.Walks are fairly tough and you need to be prepared. Walking poles were essential.

Mrs Barnes23/09/2014

Mr Shaw13/09/2014

Magnificent walking in the Dolomites, with very good local transport links. Tuscan walking an enjoyable contrast, gentler and relaxing.

Mr Moss23/07/2014

Really excellent. Do think that the first walk was more than two boots. The narratives seemed to have been written by different people sometimes. One would give specific distances whilst another would tell you you'd 'soon' come across the next landmark.

Ms Stearn23/06/2014

Having travelled and holidayed with headwater before we were pleased with this Holiday in Italy in Palazzuolo. This was a one centre holiday with very good food and friendly staff, and loved the 2 dogs. We found the walks very challenging particularly in the heat (beginning of June).

It is a very quiet village so in the evening once you have had the evening meal there isn't anything to do. Although there is a local bus service to Maradi (the local train station) it is not vey frequent. Would recommend hiring a car in future for this holiday.

Mr Lacey03/10/2013

Very good food in a welcoming hotel in a lovely location with interesting walks.

Mr Broughall28/08/2013

A relaxing weeks walking in quiet and beautiful scenery with guaranteed excellent food and service every day.

Mrs Hancock17/07/2013

We would recommend this area of Italy .It's such a shame that the hotel was so quiet . The wild flowers and butterflies are amazing . It was very easy to get to Florence by train . Ercole and Roberta made us so welcome and Sissi ,the dog , is a star in her own right .During the week we only met one other couple on our walks .You have to be confident about navigation but apart from a few things the notes were good .All the food was home made and organic -not for those on a diet.

Mr Cannon16/05/2013

We enjoyed our stay with Ercole and Roberta at Locanda Senio where the food and wine was excellent. We completed all the walks except for day 5 when instead we walked halfway up the road to Lozzle. On day 2 in a heavy thunderstorm we failed to turn back at the slabs to cross the ridge down to the Piane valley and continued on the ridge for a much longer walk mainly due to protecting papers from rain. On day 3 we turn off the ridge early at the Eco village Campanara due to not reading clear instr... read moreuctions. On day 4 we continued straight down past the front gate at Gruffieto instead of turning left due to not reading clear instructions and climbed over a large tree trunk to rejoin the walk later on the ridge.

Ms Warren13/08/2012

The hotel would of been more comfortable if it had air conditioning, the tempreture was 34 during the day, and 25 at night.

Al fresco dining sounds wonderful,(as the main dining room was closed) but not when you are bitten by mosquitos and sharing your dinner with flys. The hoteliers dogs were very sweet,but using the gardens surrounding the dining are todo their business whilst we were eating was not acceptable.

On a more positive note the walks and scenery were lovely.

Headwater response:Dear Ms Warren,
Thank you for taking the time to complete our questionnaire, and for your feedback.
It was great to read that you enjoyed the walks and scenery. Tuscany certainly is a beautiful part of Italy.
I was however sorry to read of your disappointment with the hotel regarding the air conditioning and hoteliers dogs. We have discussed both of these points with them and asked for their feedback.
Firstly, they would like to offer a sincere apology that you were unhappy with certain parts of your stay at their hotel, regarding the dogs, whilst they do roam around the hotel grounds he assures us that they have a separate area where they do their business, he was very surprised to hear your feedback and has assured us that it will not happen again. We will continue to monitor this situation closely to ensure future customers do not encounter this. Regarding the air conditioning, due to the lower temperatures experienced in the mountains compared to what you might find in the lower lying regions in Italy, the hotels in this area do not use air conditioning. The average temperatures in Aug range from upper 20s to low 30s. All of our brochure pages have a temperature guide which highlights the warmer and colder times of the season to travel, along with a hotel description which shows all of the facilities included. Whilst this hotel has a wide range of facilities air conditioning is not one of them. I am sorry that you were uncomfortable because of the temperatures. But was glad to see it did not spoil your holiday.
In closing I would like to assure you that we take all of the feedback we receive seriously and continue to work with our suppliers to ensure that we deliver a high quality, interesting and enjoyable holiday.
We look forward to welcoming you on another of our holidays in the future
Yours sincerely,
Lisa

Mr Williams23/07/2012

Good holiday made by excellent weather and good company.

Mr Jowers11/07/2012

Room was small and the en-suite cramped. The lack of air conditioning is a negative aspect. Vegetarian food was very good albeit heavily dependent upon cheese. Bit more variety would have been welcomed.

As far as the food was concerned it was, again, very good. However, I would have preferred to have seen more vegetables and a salad option instead of one of the courses would have been helpful for those with smaller appetites. Strangely for breakfast one couldn't get a cappuccino whereas elsewhere in Italy they are available at that time.

Dates and prices

You can be confident that our pricing includes all the standard requirements of your holiday and many additional extras. Always ensure that you are comparing like for like when booking your holiday. Find out about The Headwater Price Promise to ensure you're getting the very best value for money.

For further details, or to check availability, speak to our sales team on 1-800-567-6286 or complete our holiday enquiry form (we'll contact you at a time that's most convenient for you).

The prices quoted for each individual departure supercede those published in our current brochures. Air prices are subject to change and we advise early booking to obtain the best prices. Please see our Planning your holiday and What's included in the price? pages for additional information.

Holiday details

Minimum group sizesNo minimum group size, however transfers are subject to at least 2 people (in total) booked on each departure.

ChildrenPlease contact us for child prices.

Holiday typeSelf-guided walking Managed locally by hotelier.

Departures

MealsAll buffet breakfast, 6 picnic lunches and all evening meals

Tailor-made travel

Tour onlyTransfers included from Castelbolognese-Riolo train station at 14:08, and back to Castelbolognese-Riolo Terme train station at 07:30.

How to book

For further details, or to check availability, speak to our sales team on 1-800-567-6286 or complete our holiday enquiry form (we'll contact you at a time that's most convenient for you).

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